Ubiquitous Korean wave

KATHMANDU, March 7: The Korean wave is a phenomenon that hit Asia and the rest of the world in the late 1990s. The ´wave´, also known as Hallyu, is a word coined by Chinese journalists, which refers to the increased popularity of South Korea among the youth around the world.

The Korean wave has hit Nepal too, and it has hit hard.[break] It will not come as a surprise to see youngsters around Katmandu sporting a Korean look, with long straight, layered hair and dressed like their favorite Korean drama star. The market of Korean products is only growing by the day. From dramas and movies to food and clothes, the urban youth today prefer everything Korean.

Surendra Kumar Shrestha, co-owner of The Korean Shop at Kantipath says, "Korean clothes are cute to look at and they are also very comfortable. It has been around four years since the teens have become very inspired by the Korean looks and come asking for clothes similar to the actors."

Shrestha and his brother started the shop back in 1998 after returning from a six-year stay in Korea. The shop has all kinds of Korean goods from food and clothes to shoes and bags.

Jugal Shrestha, 20, an engineering student, says he loves Korean dramas. Shrestha owns around 50 Korean drama DVDs and says he never misses any serials. "The characters are really sweet and innocent. They also have really pretty faces," he says.

Dil Krishna Shrestha, owner of a DVD shop in Kathmandu Mall, says there are around 80 customers a day for Korean movies and dramas.

"Almost all of them are teenagers. It amuses me how they have learnt all the names of even the producers and directors along with the actors" says Shrestha. He adds that these teenagers would flip through the DVDs and choose the cutest looking cover a few years ago but nowadays they can not only name the cast but also talk to each other in Korean language.

"I can speak Korean. I learnt it watching movies and attending Korean classes," says Karishma Dahal. Karishma says she loves everything about Korea. "I love Ramen noodles. I love Soju and I love Korean guys with their cute side bangs. I plan to visit Korea after my studies and get married to a Korean guy," she said smiling.

Ramen noodles are a Korean brand of instant noodles and Soju is a popular energy drink from Korea. Onion Rings and Honey Loops are also Korean. They are extremely popular and are available at all major department stores.

The Korean hairstyle is another must have among the youth. Rajan Katuwal, director of Neel Davis Saloon, says there are around 50 to 100 customers coming for a Korean look.

The number of boys coming for hairstyles is even greater than the girls these days says Katuwal.

"Although I will have to hide from my college discipline-in-charge with my new look, I want it because I find Korean looks cute. I have been wearing large coats this winter and plan on wearing shorts and colorful t-shirts just like Koreans," confides Niraj Karki, 19, who was getting a Korean style haircut.

Diki Gurung, owner of the fashion store Globus at the Mall, agrees with Niraj. She says the look this season has been totally inspired by Korea.

"Most of my customers are young people. They come asking for clothes that they saw their favorite star wear in some movie dramas or on the webs."

Although the youth buy clothes taking them as Korean, they are actually from Bangkok. But since the clothes resemble in style they are the hottest sale.

Fun Facts

Koreans walk very slow and take it as a sign of good life if they don´t have to rush.

Recycling is mandatory in Korea and they recycle almost everything from glass to metal to even food.

In the first night of New Year Koreans hide their shoes. They believe that a ghost comes down that night and takes the pair it likes. It is thought that the owner of the shoes will then have bad luck for the whole year.